Nara Clan compound.
Inside the study, only a lone lamp was lit.
Shikaku Nara, the man renowned for having the sharpest mind in Konoha, tapped the tabletop with his fingers, once after another.
"Tap."
"Tap."
"Tap."
On the board before him, black and white stones crisscrossed one another, but the black stones had already surrounded the white dragon completely.
Defeat was certain.
Just like Konoha's current situation.
"Father."
His son Shikamaru's lazy voice came from outside the door.
"You've been staring at that letter for an hour already."
"What a pain."
Shikaku did not turn around.
His gaze remained on the letter.
The envelope was pure black, without any signature. It bore only a tiny flame fan embroidered in gold thread.
The Uchiha crest.
The letter's contents were even simpler.
"Midnight tonight, Tower of the End in the Forest of Death."
"Come alone."
"Shikamaru."
Shikaku suddenly spoke.
"Do you think an egg can clash with a rock?"
Shikamaru yawned outside the door.
"Depends."
"If the egg wants to break itself, then it can."
"If it doesn't, it should stay far away from the rock."
"What a simple, yet correct, principle."
Shikaku smiled self-mockingly.
He rose to his feet and carefully tucked the letter into his robes.
"I'll be back soon."
Midnight.
The moonlight was cold.
Shikaku Nara emerged from the shadows.
He was alone.
"Clan Head Yao, what nerve you have."
Shikaku's voice carried no discernible emotion.
"You summoned me alone, a close confidant of the Third Hokage."
Uchiha Yao slowly turned around.
"You came alone to see me."
With a single sentence, he reversed the positions of host and guest.
Shikaku's pupils contracted slightly.
He felt as though he was not facing a young man under twenty.
"A close confidant of the Third Hokage?"
Uchiha Yao sneered.
"Clan